Coronavirus: Toronto mayor declares state of emergency in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Mayor John Tory has declared a state of emergency for the City of Toronto in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tory made the announcement Monday after speaking with Toronto health officials.

“They thought this would help to maximize the city’s ability to do everything possible as quickly as possibly to fight this virus, to win this battle,” Tory said, adding he informed Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Tory said this decision is to help people and the city. It marks the first time the city was under a state of emergency.

“The declaration … is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and will ensure the municipal government can continue to act and respond quickly to the pandemic and any other events that arise in the weeks ahead,” a release said on Monday.